Executive Functions Infographic

A visual breakdown of executive functioning - planning, working memory, task initiation and impulse control - and how differences affect ADHD and autistic people.

Executive functioning refers to a set of mental processes that help us plan, focus, remember instructions and manage multiple tasks. Differences in executive functioning are central to the experience of ADHD and are also common in autistic people.

The eight executive functions

• Working memory - holding information in mind while using it
• Cognitive flexibility - adapting to change and new information
• Inhibitory control - managing impulses and filtering distractions
• Planning and organisation - breaking tasks into steps
• Task initiation - getting started on tasks
• Emotional regulation - managing feelings in response to events
• Self-monitoring - tracking your own performance
• Time management - estimating and managing time effectively

Who is this for?

Employers, educators, healthcare professionals, parents and carers, and anyone supporting neurodivergent people in daily life.

About the creator

This resource was created by Loren Snow, founder and lead trainer at Neurodiverse Training. As a neurodivergent individual himself, Loren brings lived experience and over a decade of professional expertise to every resource he creates.